The theory behind "pressure" on the under jaw while on the sleeve is to put a slight defensive mind set, and make the dog grip harder. *The helper must be careful, this can make some "weaker" dogs freak out.* (just a simple answer to the question.)

Although there is no contact in the sport (hands on dogs)...we are talking about *training*......creating better grips, maintaining calmness, building drives...are all parts of training. No different than people using toys, bait, reward etc...in OB training.....can't use it on the field either...yet it is done in training.

All these things are training methods....everyone uses different techniques, finding what works for each dog and benefits it.....is what is most important.....IMO.

__________________
Huerta Hof German Shepherdswww.teamhuertahof.com
....where breeding is still considered an art....

No, but I was listing examples of other things to do as part of training. Touching the dog is part of that training. Training is doing things differently. Not always do you have competent helpers to work on.

I know a competitor a few years ago that would have her helper do all sorts of things that normally would not happen in a trial. But, since she competed at a National level and not on helpers that she knew/worked on, they did all sorts of different training scenarios... Touching the dog, falling down on the ground, bumping within the sleeve, etc.

I do not know of helper's petting, but touching the dogs, either with stick or hand is normal.

Yes, Sue, agree with showing them different scenarios so if something happens in a trial the dog knows how to respond plus, doing different things, IMO, keeps the dogs fresher. You will never trial in a hay mow, but we train there. Never trial in a horse stall or the woods, but we train there. My helpers fall on the ground, pressures the dogs in other ways. That is just good training.

The petting and jaw grabbing are often done just out of habbit and for no practical purpose. They do it on one dog so it should be done on all dogs or they saw it done by other trainers so it must be a good idea for all dogs. Helpers may differ, but many just do things because it is what they do or because others do it without considering the dog they are working.

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